Artificial intelligence is increasingly important to computer games, web search, biometric systems and many other areas of modern IT.

This course will allow you to gain fundamental skills such as programming, mathematics, network architectures and project management, while studying specialist artificial intelligence topics such as machine learning, image analysis, text analytics and their applications in areas from vision to automated reasoning.

Drawing on our internationally leading research and development in the School of Computing and the University’s £4.3m National Facility for Innovative Robotics Systems, you’ll also explore how artificial intelligence is being applied to important economic and societal issues in fields such as medicine, health, transport and smarter cities through case studies from ongoing research projects.

You’ll apply your knowledge to project work in every year, giving you the skills and experience you’ll need for your future career.

You can choose to take either the four-year Integrated Masters (MEng, BSc) or the three-year Bachelor’s (BSc) degree on this course.

Specialist facilities

For final-year project work you’ll also be able to make the most of our research facilities, such as a 53-megapixel powerwall display and dedicated 3D virtual reality suite, a new testbed for cloud computing and dedicated labs with high-spec, dual-display Linux workstations, iPad, Mac and Android development areas.

Our courses in Computer Science, Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science with Distributed Systems all share a common first year, which focuses on the fundamentals of programming and the mathematical principles that underpin computer science. This gives you the flexibility to switch easily between the three courses if you choose.

In Year 2 you’ll build on this foundation to develop your knowledge of algorithms and operating systems among other key areas. You’ll also gain learn more about the ideas and techniques involved in different approaches to artificial intelligence, the basics of knowledge representation and key aspects of data mining. You’ll also choose from optional modules in areas such as mobile app development.

There are fewer compulsory modules in Year 3, when you’ll learn more about robotics and parallel computing while choosing from a wide range of optional modules. You could focus on data science, web services, visualising information or user-adaptive intelligent systems, allowing you to gain a broad base of knowledge and build further specialist skills.

If you continue to Year 4 for the MEng qualification, you’ll take masters-level modules in areas such as machine learning, image analysis and language processing to enhance your knowledge of the ways in which computer systems can process, represent and analyse different types of complex data.

You’ll also have the chance to select optional modules from big data to cloud computing and semantic technologies, and take part in a substantial group project on a specific engineering problem that allows you to apply everything you’ve learned during the course.

Projects

Every year of the course gives you hands-on experience of project work. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.

Ethics

You’ll study computing ethics as part of your course. This is taught using real life case studies, with input from specialist ethicists as well as your tutors and lecturers. The team responsible for the ethics taught in computing has produced educational material used to stimulate debate in class about topics such as ethical hacking, open source software, and use of personal data.

Not only will this enhance your reasoning and decision making skills which are crucial to employers, but it will help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you will encounter in your professional life in the IT industry.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll study among academics who are leading their fields. Our research feeds directly into our teaching, meaning you’ll learn about the very latest developments in your subject while gaining the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the IT industry.

To help you benefit from our expertise, we use a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, lab classes, tutorials and example classes. Together they will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in a good position to compete in science and technology-related careers. You’ll also work with an academic supervisor on your projects.

Our personal tutorial system will provide academic and pastoral support. You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds. He or she will be an academic member of staff: you will have weekly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first year, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings twice per semester.

In addition, our excellent student support team is based close to where you’ll work and study to help with anything from academic advice to timetabling and project submission enquiries.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using various methods including formal exams, lab practicals and project reports. Throughout the year, you’ll also be assessed using coursework, worksheets, in-module tests, example sheets and presentations to develop your knowledge and allow us to monitor your progress.

BTEC

International Baccalaureate

35 overall (18 higher including 5 points at higher level in either Mathematics or Computing).

Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

A1A1A2A2A2A2, including Mathematics and English.

Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

AAAAA overall (AAA at advanced level including Mathematics or Computing).

Other Qualifications

IT or Engineering Diploma: A (plus A or above in Mathematics or Computing in A-level).

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a BSc Studies in Science for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Year for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

English language requirements

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for the programme may be able to study an English for Academic Purposes pre-sessional course with a progression route to the degree programme. For information and entry requirements, read Pre-sessional programmes.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If youre unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Next steps

Suitable applicants will be invited to an applicant day, which gives you the opportunity to meet our students, academic staff and admissions staff, and find out more about your course. You’ll take part in a practical computing activity followed by a student-led tour.

We like to interview applicants before making an offer, so the applicant day will also include an interview with one of our academics. This will give you the chance to discuss your application in more detail, check that it’s the right course for you and your career plans, have your questions answered and find out more about studying at Leeds.

Admissions policy

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £19,000 (per year)

For UK and non-UK EU students starting in 2017, the fee for 2017/18 will be £9,250, subject to parliamentary approval of changes to higher education funding. We anticipate that we will be able to confirm the 2017 fee in late 2016.

The fee may increase in future years of your course, as permitted by law. Although the basis of future fee increases is not guaranteed, we expect the government to allow fees to increase in line with inflation. For example, the increase of 2.8% for 2017/18 was based on the governments forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in 2017 will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. Read the full government statement

Financial support

Intelligent systems range from domestic appliances and Internet search engines to robots exploring Mars. Our graduates find employment in the IT industry, ranging from start-ups to international organisations, and across a range of other sectors including computer games, technology, retail, finance, public authorities and consultancies. We have close links with companies such as IBM, Accenture and Hewlett Packard, and employers ranging from small/medium enterprises to large multi-nationals consistently target our graduates.

90% of our recent graduates have gone on to work or further study within six months of graduating. Recent graduate destinations include Barclays, BT Group – Openreach, CSC, EMIS, Ernst & Young, Fujitsu, Goodrich ISR Systems, Imagination Technologies, Microsoft and PepsiCo.

Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working

Careers Support

You’ll have access to our dedicated Employability team, located centrally in our Employability Suite, who will provide you with specialist face-to-face support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and year-in-industry placements, as well as graduate positions.

You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, ongoing support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers. The team also works closely with the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Work placements

With the help and support of our faculty Employability Team, you can choose to undertake an industrial placement year at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

As a BEng student you have the option to undertake the placement between years 2 and 3. MEng, BEng students can choose to do this either between years 2 and 3 or years 3 and 4.